GLBT Historical Society

The GLBT Historical Society collects, preserves, exhibits and makes accessible to the public materials and knowledge to support and promote understanding of LGBTQ history, culture and arts in all their diversity.
Founded in 1985, we are recognized internationally as a leader in the field of LGBTQ public history. The GLBT Historical Society is a registered 501(c)3 educational nonprofit organization.

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Elsa Gidlow (29 December 1898 – 8 June 1986) was a British-born, Canadian-American poet, freelance journalist, philosopher and humanitarian. She is best known for writing On A Grey Thread (1923), possibly the first volume of openly lesbian love poetry published in North America. In the 1950s, Gidlow helped found Druid Heights , a bohemian community in Marin County, California . She was the author of thirteen books and appeared as herself in the documentary film, Word Is... Topics: Elsa Gidlow, lesbian, GLBT Historical Society, San Francisco, poetry, book, 1923, LGBTQ,...

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Description : Dore Alley, or also known as Up Your Alley Fair, is a leather and fetish event held in San Francisco on the last Sunday of July. It began in 1985 in part to show the public the South of Market neighborhood was already home to strong community and that this community was still active and organized in spite of the AIDS epidemic. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : Folsom Follies is part of the Inter-Club Fund, a group founded in San Francisco in the 1970s. The club allowed those in gay biker and leather communities a space to band together and offer support and financial assistance to each other when needed. Source : 2 Tapes of 2: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : The Castro Street Fair is a San Francisco LGBT street festival and fair usually held on the first Sunday in October in the Castro neighborhood, the main gay neighborhood and social center in the city. It was founded by Harvey Milk and the group he led, the Castro Valley Association, in 1974. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Ends abruptly. Description : Dos Lesbos was a play written by Terry Baum, an American feminist playwright, along with Carolyn Myers. The play opened in Ollie's bar in Oakland, California in 1981. It ran for two years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz, California, and was anthologized in Places, Please (1985), the pioneering anthology of lesbian plays, edited by Kate McDermott. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Consider the Alternatives; Dos Lesbos - 3... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Oral history of Dick Hague, an Oakland-based LGBTQ elder who speaks about growing up a gay man in the 1950s and 1960s within the Bay Area and what it was like socializing in San Francisco bars during a time when being gay was a crime. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Hague_Dick8-19-1994_web.pdf Call Number: 94-041 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topics: californiarevealed, Oral History, 1950s, 1960s, bar culture, homophile, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Source: 5 Tapes of 5: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : Barbary Coasters Motorcycle Club was a gay motorcycle club out of San Francisco, founded in 1966. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : Two Queens in Search, NAMBLA Pt.2, Jim Kepner, Sister BoomBoom, AIDS. Jim Kepner was a leader in the gay rights movement whose work eventually contributed to the formation of the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives. Sister Boom Boom, also known as Sister Mary Boom Boom, was the drag nun persona of astrologer Jack Fertig and member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Best Films of 83 Pt. 1 Digitized by the California... ( 1 reviews ) Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description: Oral history with Jack Fertig aka Sister Boom Boom (conducted by Roland Schembari) who was a member of the Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. In 1982, Sister Boom Boom ran for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and later, in 1983, ran for Mayor against Diane Feinstein which led to the Sister Boom Boom Law, a San Francisco ordinance requiring candidates to use only their legal names on the ballot. This interview discusses Fertig's life in San Francisco as a gay man.... ( 1 reviews ) Topics: californialightandsound, Civil rights, Oral History, Race, Ethnicity, Religion, homophile, Gay Men,... Source: 3 Tapes of 3: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : Part one of the Fruit Punch recording includes coverage of Harry Britt's swearing in as San Francisco Supervisor, appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in January 1979 by Mayor Dianne Feinstein, succeeding Harvey Milk after his assassination by Dan White. Also included is coverage of the Body Politic Collective obscenity trial in Toronto, Canada, and San Francisco's Bakery Cafe labor dispute. Part 2 is a call-in show on gay and lesbian relationships. Additional... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description: Oral history of Edd Dundas discussing his life as a young gay man in San Francisco and California in the 1950's and 1960's. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Dundas_Edd5-28-1996_web.pdf Call Number: 96-017 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topics: californialightandsound, Gay men, Oral History Source: 2 Tapes of 2: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : The International Imperial Court System (IICS) also known as the International Court System is one of the oldest and largest LGBT organizations in the world. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1965 by José Sarria. This recording relates to the San Francisco chapter. Source : 2 Tapes of 2: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Some portions have no audio as on original video. Description : Leather and Feathers was a costume contest held at the historic leather bar, the SF Eagle in San Francisco. This recording is likely from Halloween. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Audio levels vary as on original video. Description : The International Imperial Court System (IICS) also known as the International Court System is one of the oldest and largest LGBT organizations in the world. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1965 by José Sarria. This recording relates to the San Francisco chapter. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Feinstein ends abruptly at 00:01:05. Description : Diane Feinstein is the senior United States Senator from California and served as the 38th Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988. She served as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors first female president in 1978, during which time the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk drew national attention to the city. Feinstein succeeded Moscone as mayor. This recording also features other individuals... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Note : Silence between segments. Part 1 has a gap in program from 00:05:25 until 00:09:11, as on original tape. Description : Harvey Milk was an American politician who became the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California, when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Along with Mayor Moscone, Milk was assassinated by Dan White in 1978. Part 1: Features interviews with people present at memorial. News coverage about the gay community and Harvey... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Leather and Feathers was a costume contest held at the historic leather bar, the SF Eagle in San Francisco. This recording is likely from Halloween. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Part 1 has a false start and cuts to static for a few seconds at 00:00:39. Part 2 video ends at 01:04:30, music only for last 30 seconds. Description : Folsom Follies is part of the Inter-Club Fund, a group founded in San Francisco in the 1970s. The club allowed those in gay biker and leather communities a space to band together and offer support and financial assistance to each other when needed. Source : 2 Tapes of 2: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project... Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : Originally founded in 1976 as the Imperial Guards of San Francisco, the club served as an unofficial liaison between the Imperial Courts and the Leather-Levi's community. Additional Description : Notes on original container: 1993 AWOL GGG: General Shots (SAT) Source : 2 Tapes of 2: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note: Parts 2 and 3 have s peed problems, recorded into tape. Description: Oral history interview with Jordan "Fluffy" Green in which he discusses his life as an African-American queer youth activist in San Francisco, including his time with San Francisco-based LGBTQ youth organization called LYRIC. Also mentioned are Black Coalition on AIDS and Men Against Patriarchy conference. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Green_Jordan3-19-2005_web.pdf Call Number:... Topics: californialightandsound, Gay men--California--Political activity, Oral History, Queer youth... Source: 2 Tapes of 2: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Note : Audio levels are very low as on original tapes. Description : 1993 Coronation (Gift Center) Emperor Douglas and Empress Velveeta Mozzarella. The International Imperial Court System (IICS) also known as the International Court System is one of the oldest and largest LGBT organizations in the world. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1965 by José Sarria. This recording relates to the San Francisco chapter. Source : 3 Tapes of 3: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual... Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Right channel drops out at approximately 00:25:20 until 00:26:45 as in original source. Description : Gay Asian Americans are an ethnic/sexual minority in California and lack much historical representation. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Five Gay Asian American Men - Final Version Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Oral history of Winifred Briggs, a California native and resident who discusses being a lesbian in World War II, as well as AA, US Army Nurses, and same sex relationships in the 1940s 1950s. Call Number: 95-01 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topics: californiarevealed, Oral History, World War II, military, AA, US Army Nurses, relationships, 1940s,... Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description: Oral history of Bev Hickock [Hickok] and Doreen Brand, a lesbian couple from San Francisco/Berkeley, CA who worked with elderly lesbian groups like the Lavender Seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area and were some of the earliest members to join OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change) in California. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Hickock_BevnBrand_Doreen10-5-1994_web.pdf Call Number: 94-055 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project... Topics: californialightandsound, Gay military personnel, Oral History, lesbian, military Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : The White Night riots were a series of violent events sparked by an announcement of the lenient sentencing of Dan White for the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and of Harvey Milk, a member of the city's Board of Supervisors who was among the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Additional Description : Notes on original container: White Nite Riot - excerpts for spk. engagement 11:35T First section removed for Fred's show: Mish Remembers... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Originally founded in 1976 as the Imperial Guards of San Francisco, the club served as an unofficial liaison between the Imperial Courts and the Leather-Levi's community. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : This episode of Fruit Punch includes a profile of Ringold Alley in San Francisco, the center of the San Francisco LGBT leather scene and the site of the first Up Your Alley Street Fair held in 1985. Interviews also discuss AIDS and sexual health, including an interview with author of In Self-Defense Steven Mizer, and AIDS benefit events. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Who Gets Soaked at the Supermarket" by Carole 2/13/72 8:00 25:00 min, Short Fruit... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : The White Night riots were a series of violent events sparked by an announcement of the lenient sentencing of Dan White for the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and of Harvey Milk, a member of the city's Board of Supervisors who was among the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Milk/Moscone/White Documentary Outtakes Part 1 1 - Britt verdict reaction 2 - Jones riot reaction 3- Gay guy -... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Sylvester (1947-1988) was an American singer-songwriter active in the genres of disco, rhythm and blues, and soul; he was known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance, falsetto singing voice, and hit disco singles in the late 1970s. He lived/worked primarily in San Francisco until he died of AIDS in 1988. Jon Sugar is a San Francisco-based DJ. Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Harvey Milk was part of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office; he was assassinated in San Francisco City Hall in 1978 along with then Mayor Moscone by former Supervisor Dan White. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Actuality Fruit Punch Show 11/29/78 Milk Memorial Milk teaser and 75 gay free speech; Holly Near and Mem; Nom 6 Holly Near removed 5/17/83 by Ford Digitized by the California... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Oral history of Larry Howell as part of the Go West Migration Project, in which he discusses growing up as a gay man and moving to California -- first to Los Angeles and then to San Francisco -- during the 1960s and 1970s. Call Number: 98-040 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topics: californiarevealed, Oral History Source: 3 Tapes of 3: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : Oral history interview with William Theophilus Brown, an American artist and prominent member of the Bay Area Figurative Movement. He discusses being a gay male in World War II as well as his time in graduate school at UC Berkeley in the 1950s and working as a painter in California. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Brown_WilliamT7-8-1994_web.pdf Call Number: 94-032 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topics: californiarevealed, Gay military personnel, Oral History, 1940s, 1950s, military, gay male Source: 3 Tapes of 3: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : Originally founded in 1976 as the Imperial Guards of San Francisco, the club served as an unofficial liaison between the Imperial Courts and the Leather-Levi's community. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : Oral history interview with Andrew Canepa, a Stockton, CA native who discusses growing up a gay man in a Catholic family and his involvement with the Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco, a church that has a specific outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families and communities. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Canepa_AndrewLouis8-12-2000_web.pdf Call Number: 00-005 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project... Topics: californialightandsound, Christianity, Gay men, Oral histories, gay male, religion, MCC Source: 2 Tapes of 2: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Description : Oral history of William Harrison, Empress to San Francisco No. 14. in the Imperial Court System, in which he discusses his relationship to founder of the Imperial Court System Jose Sarria, as well as San Francisco bar culture and his involvement with the Imperial Court across California. Transcript: http://www.glbthistory.org/research/oh/Harrison_William_web.pdf Call Number: 98-025 Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topics: californiarevealed, Oral History, Bars, Imperial Court, military Source: 2 Tapes of 2: 1/8 inch audio tape

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Note : Channel imbalances during program, specifically at approximately 00:06:00, as on original tape. Description : This episode of Fruit Punch focuses on gay cultural workers. Interviews include the Lavender Star players, an LGBT performing arts collective in San Francisco, as well as the Fruit Punch collective. Toward the end of the show is a news update on Anita Bryant, an outspoken opponent of gay rights, and her 1977 "Save Our Children" campaign to repeal a local ordinance in... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Note : Right channel begins a few seconds before Left channel. Description : Dan White, who in 1978 assassinated Harvey Milk and George Moscone, served five years of his seven-year sentence and was paroled on January 7, 1984. In a controversial verdict that led to the coining of the legal slang "Twinkie defense", White was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder in the deaths of Milk and Moscone. This segment features reactions from various individuals regarding the trial of... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Dan White, who in 1978 assassinated Harvey Milk and George Moscone, served five years of his seven-year sentence and was paroled on January 7, 1984. In a controversial verdict that led to the coining of the legal slang "Twinkie defense", White was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder in the deaths of Milk and Moscone. The Fruit Punch segment begins at 7:00. Additional Description : Notes on original container: Day: Sun Date: 11-12-78 From 0000AM to: 2400PM... Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

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Description : Investiture (SF War Veterans Building) Emperor Michael Bowman & Empress Caresse. The International Imperial Court System (IICS) also known as the International Court System is one of the oldest and largest LGBT organizations in the world. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1965 by José Sarria. This recording relates to the San Francisco chapter. Source : 2 Tapes of 2: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : Originally founded in 1976 as the Imperial Guards of San Francisco, the club served as an unofficial liaison between the Imperial Courts and the Leather-Levi's community. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Description : Switch Hitters Balls at Victoria Theatre. The Switch Hitters were a gay softball league in San Francisco, and the Victoria Theatre is a theater on 16th Street in the Mission district in San Francisco. Additional Description : Notes on original container: GS2 1991 Amateur Nite. Camera Master. Source : 1 Tape of 1: VHS Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed

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Note : Gap from 00:19:00-00:19:43 as on original tape. Description : The National Organization of Lesbians and Gays (NOLAG) was formed in 1981 with a mission to educate and inform the public on gay and lesbians rights, and "to promote the common good and welfare of the Lesbian and Gay community." This recording focuses on NOLAG's 1981 conference in Los Angeles. Digitized by the California Audiovisual Preservation Project (CAVPP) . Topic: californiarevealed Source: 1 Tape of 1: 1/4 inch audio tape

The GLBT Historical Society collects, preserves, exhibits and makes accessible to the public materials and knowledge to support and promote understanding of LGBTQ history, culture and arts in all their diversity.
Founded in 1985, we are recognized internationally as a leader in the field of LGBTQ public history. The GLBT Historical Society is a registered 501(c)3 educational nonprofit organization.